By  Sohail Ahmad

LOWER DIR: A girl name Karishma was allegedly killed in a suspected honour killing in the Rabat area of Lower Dir, police and local residents said on Sunday.

Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and launched an investigation into the incident.

According to the FIR, the victim was identified as Karishma, 19, who had been living with her uncle. Her father is employed abroad, while her mother has passed away. Police said an investigation is underway and efforts have been initiated to identify and arrest those responsible for the killing.

The incident has sparked local residents emotion and has been highlighted on social media.

According to local residents, Karishma was allegedly strangled with a rope before being shot multiple times. They further alleged that the killing was carried out over accusations that she had been in contact with a boy through a mobile phone.

Local residents also alleged that despite the registration of the FIR, no arrests had been made at the time of filing this report. Police have not officially confirmed the motive behind the killing, stating that all aspects of the case are being investigated.

Local elders, speaking at a press conference, claimed that Karishma was buried without funeral prayers (Janaza). They demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved in the alleged honour killing and warned that if the police failed to apprehend the suspects, they would block the Dir–Chitral main road in protest.

Also Read : Bannu Traders Draw the Line, Refuse TMA Rent Over 'Unjust' Hike

 The elders said such incidents must be stopped and justice must be provided to Karishma. They also alleged that she was an underage girl who was brutally killed with strangled rope and attacked with an axe and gun fire  .

The incident has once again drawn attention to the issue of so-called honour killings in Pakistan, where women continue to face violence despite legal protections.

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), citing data from the National Police Bureau, at least 470 women were victims of so-called honour killings during the past year. Of these cases, 189 were reported in Punjab, 126 in Sindh, 116 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 29 in Balochistan, and 10 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The HRCP report also documented 3,815 cases of rape, 983 cases of gang rape, 69 cases of custodial sexual assault, and 223 cases of incest-based sexual assault. Additionally, domestic violence resulted in at least 1,332 murders and 2,912 cases of battery, while the Digital Rights Foundation received 2,586 reports of cyber harassment, the majority involving women in Punjab.

Human rights organisations have repeatedly urged authorities to ensure prompt investigations, arrest suspects without delay, and strictly enforce laws aimed at preventing honour killings and other forms of gender-based violence.